Olivia Berzai with the heroics at the buzzer!!!! @LadyTrojansGBB are City Champions with a 45-44 OT victory over Cathedral!!! Total pandemonium!

pic.twitter.com/sTNnTZVxyM— Bishop Chatard Student Life (@BCHStudentLife)

January 13, 2024

In a remarkable showcase of aquatic prowess, Bishop Chatard High School’s swim team left an indelible mark at the 2023 City Tournament, clinching victories in both the boys’ and girls’ categories. The standout performance of the day belonged to Jack Steadham, who shattered not just city records but also school records.

Steadham’s name echoed through the annals of swimming history as he obliterated the longstanding 1983 record in the 100 Fly, clocking in at a breathtaking 54.04 seconds. Not content with that, he rewrote his own 2021 record in the 100 Back, posting a time of 55.09 seconds. These remarkable achievements firmly cemented Steadham’s legacy in the school’s swimming lore, as he also surpassed the 2018 100 Fly record.

Steadham wasn’t the only record-breaker that day. Katie Countryman emerged as a force to be reckoned with, seizing the spotlight by smashing the 2016 200 Freestyle Girls’ Record with a time of 1:58.58. Her prowess in the pool added to the tally of records falling in the wake of Bishop Chatard’s performance.

Adding to the accomplishments were collective efforts, notably the girls’ team (Margueritte Bourgeois, Hanna Ross, Gabby Herner, Katie Countryman) 200 Free Relay’s achievement. They shattered the school record from 2017 with a phenomenal time of 1:46.03, setting a new benchmark for future endeavors.

Beyond the record-breaking feats, there were a plethora of stellar performances. Hanna Ross showcased her skills in the 100 Backstroke with a personal best time of 1:03.30. Alex Paz demonstrated sheer speed, claiming the 50 Free title with an impressive time of 23.93 seconds.

Margueritte Bourgeois and Alex Teed secured commendable positions, finishing 2nd and 3rd in the 100 Breaststroke, respectively. Gabby Herner and Elaine Dilts showcased remarkable stamina, securing 2nd and 3rd spots in the grueling 500 Freestyle. Dilts, in particular, continued her commendable streak by slashing her time to 6:24.94 in the 500 Free.

Noteworthy performances continued, with Adison Fleming achieving a significant milestone by breaking the 30-second barrier in the 50 Free with a time of 29.75 seconds.

Importantly, team spirit reverberated through the stands, thanks to the unwavering support from teammates like Morgan Engelman and Zoe Williamson, who exemplified true sportsmanship by rallying behind their peers.

Bishop Chatard’s triumph wasn’t merely in securing victories and breaking records, but in the camaraderie and unwavering support displayed by the entire team. Their legacy at the 2023 City Tourney will undoubtedly endure as a testament to their skill, determination, and collective spirit.

The BCHS football team, undefeated during the regular season, was crowned the 2023 3A State Champion with a 35-7 win over Heritage Hills on Nov. 24. This was a record 17th title for the BCHS Trojans.

The team started the game on the first drive with a 12 play rushing/pass offense that drove 76 yards and used 5:06 minutes of the quarter, resulting in a touchdown by Riley Kennett.

Kinnett had 158 yards rushing for the game and a 3A state-record-tying four touchdowns, 3 of those behind the left offensive line led by Harrison Campebll.

The defense allowed Heritage Hills to cross the midfield just three times in the game and, until the final 2 minutes, to have only one chance to score, which ended in an interception by Colin Guy at the Chatard 10.

Besides Kinnett, top performers were Guy who had three interceptions, tying an all-state-finals record, and led the Trojans in receiving with six catches for 66 yards; Sam Feeney, linebakcer, with a team-high 10 tackles and Matthew Woods, nose tackle, with eight tackles. *

* Info from ‘Chatard repeats in 3A, adds record 17th title’ by Lewis Bagley, IndyStar, Nov. 26, 2023

Watch video of highlights from IndyStar.com

How They Got to the Finals

Semi-State Recap

BCHS Trojans met Knox in Semi-State play on Nov. 17, 2023 and were crowned the Semi-State Champions with a 42-14 win over the team.

Regional Recap

BCHS football captured the 2023 3A Regional title with a win over Delta, 35-6.

Sectional Recap

BCHS football became 3A 2023 Sectional champions with a 28-8 win over undefeated Hamilton Heights. This was the 18th straight win for the Trojans, dating back to last season.

They advanced to regionals with a 40-7 win over undefeated Tippecanoe Valley in first sectional round play and a 21-10 win over #5 Guerin Catholic in sectional semi-final.

All runners had awesome races in the 2023 Cross Country State Finals.

Julia Score placed 3rd in the state (17:23) and Grace Leppert placed 160th (19:56)!

JD Haines placed 51st (15:56) and Max Bourgeois placed 80th (16:09)!

Regional Results

The Boys Cross Country team placed 8th at the Brownsburg regional. Max Bourgeois and JD Haines both qualified for the state finals!

The Girls Cross Country team placed 8th at the Brownsburg regional. Julia Score was the individual meet champion and set the course record (17:37)! Additionally, freshman Grace Leppert had a breakout performance and also qualified for the state finals!

Good Luck Max, JD, Julia and Grace in State Championships, which will be held at Terre Haute’s LaVern Gibson Facility, on Sat., Oct. 28, 2023 – boys beginning at noon and girls at 2:30 p.m.

The BCHS Girls and Boys Cross Country teams, both advancing to the 2023 Regionals!

The Lady Trojans placed 4th at the very competitive North Central sectional meet to advance. Julia Score (meet champion), Ceci Jackson, and Grace Leppert all earned ALL Sectional honors!

The Men’s Trojan team placed 4th in the very competitive North Central sectional meet to advance. Congrats to JD Haines, Max Bourgeois, and Ian Kolbus for earning ALL Sectional honors!

Congratulations to the 2023 BCHS Cross Country Teams! Both the Boys and Girls teams are 2023 City Champions for the third year in a row!

JD Haines & Julia Score were individual champions.

Joining JD and Julia on the All-City Team were Ian Kolbus (2), Eli Hummel (3), Ceci Jackson (3), Grace Leppert (5), & Emmerson Bloede (9).

Great job, Trojans!

Congratulations to the Girls Golf team, as they advanced to 2023 Regional play, the first time since 2018! They placed third in Sectionals on Sept. 18, shooting 403.

Clare Kirchgessner shot 86, with 33 putts, hit 5 fairways, and had 4 GIR’s (Green In Regulation). Charlotte Becker shot 98, with 37 putts, hit 4 fairways, had 1 GIR, and had 60 in the Red Zone. She had 2 birdies and, in one of those birdies, she holed out from 100 yards from the pin. Lucy Heslin shot 109, with 40 putts and hit 7 fairways. Emily Wendt shot 110, with 34 putts, hit 5 fairways, and 1 GIR.

Congratulations to the Boys Golf team, as they won the 2023 Sectional at Maple Creek Golf Course on June 2. The team shot 316, in a sectional with Cathedral, Heritage Christian, Park Tudor, North Central, International, Lawrence North & Central, Scecina, Warren Central and Arsenal Tech.

This is the 1st Sectional boys golf championship in school history. William Pruitt was Sectional medalist with a 74 and Nick Belby was All-Sectional with 76 for 2nd place finish. Other team scores were Colin Kirchgessner (82), Charlie Belch (84) and Jack Feeney (90).

Come cheer on the Trojans in Regional play at The Players Club on Thurs, June 8, 2023, beginning at 8 a.m.

The BCHS Baseball team won the Class 3A Regional title with a 7-2 win over Beech Grove on June 3. The team won with a great team effort! Jack Murray and Danny Sitzman combined on the mound to limit Beech Grove to 2 runs and 6 hits. Murray picked up the win and Sitzman the save. The offense was led by William Dietrick with 3 hits, Ryan Keating with 2 hits, and Aiden Duncan with 2 hits and 3 RBI.

Come cheer on the Trojans as they meet Tri-West Hendricks in semi-state play, at Southridge on Sat., June 10, 2023.

BCHS Baseball won the 2023 Sectional Championship with a 12-1 victory over Hamilton Heights. Charlie Rushenberg, Jack Murray, and Conor O’Brien combined on the mound to hold the Huskies to 3 hits and 1 run. The offense was led by Joe Ashley with 2 hits, and 1 hit each by Ryan Keating, Chris Klug, Jack Murray, Declan Hostettler, and JP Polackin.

To advance to the sectional championship game, they defeated top-ranked Guerin Catholic, 4-2. Jack Murray, Danny Sitzman, and Will Borowski all pitched well for the Trojans. The offense was led by Ryan Keating with 3 hits, and William Dietrick and Joe Ashley with 2 hits each.

The 2023 BCHS Lady Trojan Track and Field team won their first Regional Championship in School History. The program advanced 10 athletes to the state meet.

Regional Champs

• 4 x 1 of Adeline Miller, Bri Buels, Reese McKinney and Addison Duncan. This relay also broke the school record set in 2006!
• 4 x 4 of Bri Buels, Reese McKinney, Grace Felts, and Addison Duncan

State Qualifiers

• Julia Score – 1600 and 3200 meters
• 4 x 8 of Ceci Jackson, Caroline Clapac, Maggie Rushenberg and Morgan Engelman

The team also had good performances from Anna Thompson, Mary Kate Felts, Caroline Bell and Lena Stickel.

Congratulations team!

The 2023 BCHS Boys Trojan Track Team claimed their 3rd straight City Championship. The following athletes or relays were city champs:

• 200 meters – Kalen Sargent
• 400 meters – Noah Dudik
• meters – JD Haines
• 1600 meters – Davis Falcon
• 3200 meters – Ian Kolbus
• 110 Hurdles – RJ Bradshaw
• 300 hurdles – Phoenix Boyer
• 4 x 4 – Phoenix Boyer, Cole Weber, JD Haines, Noah Dudik

The following athletes all scored varsity points and were a big part of the victory: Sam Feeney, Jackson Sochacki, Jack Davis, Alec Clements, Eli Hummel, Gavin Marsh, Sam Bustamante, Tate Chesebrough, Harrison Campbell, Jack Ross and Chuck Wright.